“There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.” —Vincent Van Gogh

What could a life be, dedicated to intimately knowing one thing? What if that one thing is the love of God?

(Dishes need washing again, laundry waiting to be put away, sobbing little heart needs me to hold him.)

What if I love like the King of the Universe, Creator of heaven and earth? …on earth as it is in heaven?

(Phone calling urgent, emails vie for attention, complicated conversations invite wonder we must wait for. Like a reckless then sleepy giant, life moves from rapid to seeming so sluggish sometimes.)

 

How could I swing that banner of love over you in a way that stopped everything, right here, right now, even for a glimpse and momentary taste of the real now?

Could the slow, patient, steady work speak to you? Will I let it speak to me?



(Little heart calling, sing-song style, from the restroom, “I need to be wiiiiiped!”)

If I said I love you with my life right now, could you believe the wild way I meant it? How “niagra could more easily fit in a tea cup”?*

(Oh the laughter as they run through, herd-like, and the way my train of thought ran off with them…What was it we were saying?)

What if I keep on singing, true as I know how? What if you heard me?

Youngest stops to ask if he can keep, “…da baby minnow in my, my, box. I keep it safe in dere.” “No, little heart, the minnow needs water to breathe.”

Briefest pause, then—launch!
I feel like I can hear that poor fish making the Tarzan sound effects…aaaaaaaah!
Tiny splash.

Youngest turns to me, then, soberly, “I really loved that guy.”
Yes, yes you did.
What a true song you sing to me, little heart.
image

“There’s a wideness in God’s mercy
I cannot find in my own
And He keeps His fire burning
To melt this heart of stone
Keeps me aching with a yearning
Keeps me glad to have been caught
In the reckless raging fury
That they call the love of God

Now I’ve seen no band of angels
But I’ve heard the soldiers’ songs
Love hangs over them like a banner
Love within them leads them on
To the battle on the journey
And it’s never gonna stop
Ever widening their mercies
And the fury of His love

Oh the love of God

Joy and sorrow are this ocean
And in their every ebb and flow
Now the Lord a door has opened
That all Hell could never close
Here I’m tested and made worthy
Tossed about but lifted up
In the reckless raging fury
That they call the love of God

Oh the love of God

Oh the love of God”

The Love of God, by Rich Mullins
(Pleeeease listen for free by clicking title. One of my absolute favorites.)

Where are you, seeing, hearing, learning, or aching with the yearning today?

Seeking with you today, and I know we will find.

Raynna

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*Brennan Manning